Related Content

Clemson receiver Artavis Scott missed national championship media day Saturday because he was serving as a pallbearer in his grandfather's funeral.

Coach Dabo Swinney says Scott, a junior from nearby Clearwater, is expected to rejoin the Tigers for a team photo and practice later Saturday.

Scott is Clemson's all-time leader in receptions (242). He graduated in December and already declared for the NFL draft.

"He really has been an unbelievable player for us," Swinney said. "Everyone talks about Deshaun (Watson), but Artavis graduated in three years, too. Three years, he's the leading receiver in the history of Clemson. We all know there's been some great ones come through. This young man is an incredibly underrated football player. He has grown as a man and has a bright future."

Newly elevated Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is trying to keep the focus on Alabama's players and the national championship game.

Facing dozens of reporters and cameras, Sarkisian fielded questions for an hour Saturday at the championship game's media day. He replaced Lane Kiffin a week before the top-ranked Crimson Tide's Monday game against No. 3 Clemson.

He mostly said questions about his battle with alcoholism were "for another time."

He said he already knew the Crimson Tide's offense after spending the season as an offensive analyst, but he didn't know the players very well.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts says he'd only had three or four casual conversations with Sarkisian before this week.

USC fired Sarkasian as head coach in October 2015 after separate incidents involving alcohol, and he entered a rehab center.